The two parties are pulling out all the stops to bag victory.
New Delhi
Both the Congress and the BJP have finalised their strategies for the Rajasthan Assembly elections to be held in November this year. It will be Prime Minister Narendra Modi versus Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot there. As the Rajasthan poll results will have its bearing on the next year’s Lok Sabha elections, the two parties are pulling out all the stops to bag victory.
Changing its strategy, the BJP is giving maximum responsibilities to the central leaders due to infighting in the state unit. The saffron party is also sending politically-savvy MLAs from other states to Rajasthan’s different Assembly segments. They will conduct their own survey. BJP will not finalise its candidates in haste. The party may also drop some sitting MLAs.
Congress, on the contrary, has formed various committees to finalise candidates as early as possible. Names will be announced in September, sources say. In fact, early selection candidates had benefited Congress immensely in Karnataka.
The ruling party in Rajasthan may take a lead if tickets are allocated early without any dispute. However, ticket allocation is not going to be an easy task in the Congress. The high command has already surprised many by accommodating Sachin Pilot, who was once a rebel, in the screening committee. The party terms it as an attempt to give a message of unity. However, the unity of the party will be tested at the time of candidate selection. There is no anti-incumbency sentiment against CM Gehlot, as the voters are happy with the welfare schemes of his government. However, public anger is obviously there against some ministers and MLAs. The common man openly says that MLAs have looted a lot. In fact, the reason for this was the government’s instability. The government was busy dealing with one crisis or the other over the past full five years. As PCC chief, Sachin Pilot was himself allegedly behind the government toppling game. As a result, MLAs and ministers capitalised on volatile situations and kept minting money. It was already too late when the leadership got active to set things right. Elections are already approaching.
The high command is forming panels to give the message of “all is well”. Definitely, Congress’ house is looking in order compared to the BJP’s. Rahul Gandhi is going to Banswara’s tribal dominated area on 9 August to launch the party’s election campaign. Congress is sparing no effort to ensure a repeat of its government in Rajasthan.
BJP is focusing on its own strategy. PM Modi is touring the state to create an atmosphere in favour of BJP. On the other hand, the BJP state leaders are launching attacks on the Congress government in Rajasthan. Meanwhile, there is hardly any possibility of BJP projecting Vasundhara Raje as its CM face. Election campaign committee is the only hope for Raje. But sources say that Arjun Meghwal is likely to be given campaign committee charge. Raje is still lobbying with the central leadership in Delhi. BJP is hopeful of victory even without a face. PM Modi’s face keeps BJP’s hopes alive. BJP is pinning its hope on the aggressive campaign by PM Modi, central government’s schemes, women safety, etc. The BJP is also keen to cash in on Congress’ internal tussle and “the controversial red diary”. The saffron party’s strategy is also to ensure that BSP fights on all seats so as to cut into Congress’ votes. Similarly, Owaisi’s party will also be in the fray. AAP’s next course of action is yet to be seen. Will Arvind Kejriwal’s party continue to be with the INDIA alliance or will it field its candidates in all seats? Telangana Chief Minister K.
Chandrashekar Rao’s party BRS will also be persuaded to contest on all seats in Rajasthan. Given all this, the challenges are immense for the Congress. The ruling party needs to drop several sitting MLAs, which will help overcome the challenge.